On Sunday night South Carolina-based ‘Disney grunge’ band Heyrocco opened up for The Xcerts at their show at the Rainbow in Digbeth. BurnFM’s Marita Farruggia had a chance to catch up with them and discuss touring in the UK, their forthcoming album, and superpowers.
So you guys are touring with the Xcerts. What’s that been like so far?
Nate 2000 [Vocals & Guitar]: Very Scottish.
Chris Cool [Bass]: Very Scottish. They represent Scotland in the most beautiful way. They’re awesome, awesome people.
Taco [Drums]: Yeah, trio vibes all around.
Nate: We don’t f***s with nobody that’s not a trio, so they are O.K. with us.
How are you finding England so far?
Taco: I like it. Everybody needs to salt their food more…
Cool: More salt!
Nate: The beer is great, but the food sucks. More sauce less posh?
Taco: Let’s focus on how great the beer is.
Cool: The beer is definitely good.
Well you’re from Charleston and the food there is definitely amazing so…
Taco: Yeah, we’re a little biased.
Cool: Charleston is pretty European though.
Nate: Yeah, we have nude beaches.
But the food is great.
Taco: Yeah, if you took London and added some culinary culture…
Nate: And the Dixie flag.
Cool: One tenth of the people…and a Coors Light here and there.
So your debut full-length album, Teenage Movie Soundtrack, is coming out later this year?
Nate: June 8th.
Cool: Yeah, it’s coming out officially, but it’s been out in spirit for a long time. And it’s been completely finished for a long time.
Taco: We have some secret tracks too.
Nate: If it was 1989, you would only be able to buy it at the show, which you can here.
So that’s the important thing.
Nate: Except the show is in 2015…
Taco: But we will have music soon for everybody to buy and listen to.
Nate: And until then, there are some tracks up on Soundcloud.
Now I know it’s a Sunday night show and those are usually pretty quiet.
Cool: Nah, three limbs have already been broken at this show and that was just the opening band.
Taco: Who knows what’s going to happen next!
Cool: Basically, everyone should be here.
Well, for those people who are not at this show, could you describe your band’s music in ten words or less?
Cool: Metallica. That’s the only word I need.
Nate: Shady, sloppy, clean, appealing, charming, worthwhile.
Taco: New York Times bestseller.
[At this point we went off on a tangent about Ouija boards and illegal substances.]
Moving away from Ouija boards, what would your ideal tour lineup be?
Nate: Pavement.
Cool: Pavement would be first, we’d be in the middle, and then the Cure would headline.
Taco: I’d really want to play with the Lemonheads.
Nate: For the longest time I was like ‘it’s really sad that Evan [from the Lemonheads] died,’ but then I realized he’s still alive, which is awesome.
Taco: But if we’re talking about bands we could realistically tour with now…
Cool: It would be us and the Xcerts!
Nate: No, no. It would be us and Concord America. They’re the best band ever.
Who are they?
Nate: They’re from Atlanta. They’re the only band that doesn’t give as much of a s*** as I wish I didn’t.
[At this point a man walked into the room that the band would like you to know was John Bon Jovi.]
Have you gotten to see any cool sights in Birmingham today?
Cool: I saw a really sketchy graffitied bridge.
The Custard Factory?
Nate: Yeah, there was a car lot and a factory and a skate shop.
Cool: I saw a lot of sheep yesterday…
Taco: I saw this dude dressed in all white today and he was like, ‘Nice hat dude. I’m in the X Factor and I just advanced to the next round! I’ll see you on TV!’ So I said congrats and he just shouted ‘Woo!’
Cool: He probably only moved forward on the X Factor because he was wearing all white.
Where are you most looking forward to going on the tour?
Cool: London tomorrow.
Nate: I love London.
Cool: Sleep tonight will be good.
Taco: We’re going to hang out in Liverpool one day with Cal [their tour manager] who’s from there.
How have you found playing for audiences over here different from playing back home?
Nate: They find us less annoying, I think.
Cool: People are a lot nicer. I’ve never had a beer bottle thrown at me here. I won’t even talk about how it is in the States…
Nate: This place makes you feel cool and different. Unique. New.
They enjoy your [Nate’s] blue hair here?
Nate: It black…turned blue.
Cool: It was a mistake, like Nate in general. Sorry, that was harsh. Love you, man.
If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?
Cool: See through girls’ clothes.
Taco: X-ray vision would be cool.
Nate: Definitely flight. What would yours be?
Teleportation.
Taco: Oh, that’s a good one. I’m changing mine to that.
Any closing remarks?
Nate: Be respectful to your parents. They’re going to get your butt out all the trouble you get yourself into.
Taco: Peace and love!
Cool: No more war.
Taco: Safety first. Then teamwork.
Nate: If people want to buy our album when it comes out, that’s cool, but just enjoy your life. That’s the most important thing.
